Iowa State takeaways: Montgomery injury update, Lazard races to record books and more

Iowa State quarterback Joel Lanning (7) celebrates their win over Baylor as well as his 23rd birthday after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Waco, Texas. Iowa State won 23-13.(Photo: Rod Aydelotte/AP)

Coach Matt Campbell said there's nothing to worry about for Montgomery, whose X-rays came back negative after the star running back suffered a scary ankle injury and had to be carted into the locker room in the fourth quarter of the game.

“We got it X-rayed, everything came back positive, so that part is really good,” Campbell said. “If I know David, he’ll be ready to roll, but that’s an early prediction, and we’ll see where he’s at. So, no breaks, no strains — not any of that. We’ll just kind of have to play it by ear.”

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Iowa State quarterback Joel Lanning (7) celebrates their win over Baylor as well as his 23rd birthday after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Waco, Texas. Iowa State won 23-13.
Rod Aydelotte/AP

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell looks on during a time out against Baylor in the second half of a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Waco, Texas. Iowa State won 23-13.
Rod Aydelotte/AP

Baylor head football coach Matt Rhule, right, looks on with quarterback Charlie Brewer during their match up with Iowa State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Waco, Texas. Iowa State won 23-13.
Jose Yau/AP

Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard (5) lands in the end zone while scoring over Baylor safety Taion Sells (2) in the first half of a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Waco, Texas.
Rod Aydelotte/AP

If there’s anyone Iowa State can’t do without, it’s Montgomery. The sophomore running back has been one of the most consistent players and brightest spots for the Iowa State offense this season. During Saturday’s game, he became the 14th player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards. His 1,080 yards for the season rank 17th on the Cyclones' single-season chart. Montgomery also tallied his sixth 100-plus rushing yard game of the season by running for 144 yards.

That’s why so many Iowa State fans, players and even Campbell were so concerned when Montgomery went down as the Cyclones tried to milk the clock and close out their win over the Bears. Montgomery showed just how important he was in the second half. Iowa State, which had rushed for just 43 yards in the first half, tallied 171 in the second half. Most of that came from Montgomery before he got hurt.

“I think anytime you have one of your best players, who kind of put the team on his back in the second half — you never like to see him go down,” Campbell said. “But it’s football and that’s what happens.”

Iowa State players came out to the field and took a knee as Montgomery was being looked at. But from the sounds of it, Iowa State dodged a bullet.

“I saw his reaction, I knew it wasn’t too good,” said Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard. “But talking to him after the game, he said it was just one of those injuries that just really stung and hurt at the beginning.”

Noland filled in again for Kyle Kempt, who is dealing with an injury to his throwing shoulder. Kempt left during the second quarter of the previous week’s game — a loss to then-No. 15 Oklahoma State. He was replaced by Noland, who nearly guided Iowa State to a win.

On Saturday, Noland completed 14 of 28 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

“We’ll just re-evaluate it,” Campbell said of Iowa State’s quarterback situation. “Kyle’s obviously not healthy yet. If he’s healthy or healthier, then that’ll be a discussion we have to have. Right now, it’s not even a discussion we can have until Kyle is 100 percent healthy.”

Noland showed plenty of promise but also showed he has a lot to improve on. Noland showcased a strong arm with some nice finesse, but also missed badly on some of his throws.

“A couple of deep throws he was able to throw in the game, I thought he did a really good job,” Campbell said. “He’ll continue to get better and continue to grow. Boy, I think you’ve got to leave here being pretty impressed with what you saw from Zeb Noland today.”

Play of the day

The most impressive play of the day came from wide receiver Hakeem Butler. The wide receiver hauled in a 67-yard touchdown pass despite having a defender all over his right arm, forcing him to use only one hand to make the catch.

Butler then broke loose of two Baylor Bears on his way to the end zone to give Iowa State a 17-10 lead in the second quarter.

“I have great balance and I’m pretty strong, like I think I’m really strong,” Butler said. “So, for me it was a tough play, but they were just bouncing off (me) it seemed like.”

Racing to the record books

There’s no doubt that Lazard is one of the best wide receivers in school history. But Lazard made another case that he is the best in school history by grabbing another big record Saturday.

With a 36-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, Lazard became Iowa State’s all-time leader in receiving yards. His mark of 3,123 passes the previous record of 3,096 set by Todd Blythe. Lazard, who finished with two catches for 52 yards, also tied Iowa State’s single-season touchdown receptions record with nine.

Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard (5) lands in the end zone while scoring over Baylor safety Taion Sells (2) in the first half of a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Waco, Texas.(Photo: Rod Aydelotte/AP)

The receiving yards record was something Lazard had his sights set on when the season began.

Late arrival

Iowa State’s didn’t have a smooth start to the day. The Cyclone arrived to the stadium late for warm-ups after getting stuck in traffic behind an accident. Iowa State, which stayed in Temple, was making the trip to Waco by bus. Despite the late arrival, Saturday’s game still started on time.

“It was a lot of fun,” Campbell said with a smile about the ride. “A lot of fun. I love this area.”

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell looks on during a time out against Baylor in the second half of a NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Waco, Texas. Iowa State won 23-13.(Photo: Rod Aydelotte/AP)